LAKELAND, FL (September 13, 2018) – It is not often that you get to taste real root beer. We’re not talking about the root beer currently for sale on store shelves – those are fine root beers, but have you ever tasted the real stuff? When we were planning the Suncoast Credit Union SwantoberFest – Lakeland’s inaugural Oktoberfest celebration – we wanted something unique and fun for our young guests. So, we approached Lea Williams, owner of Got Candy & More Food Truck, and presented her with the challenge. Immediately, Williams was on a mission to find the best recipe, ingredients, and carbonation. She tested and tweaked several recipes to find the perfect one. A month later, she had perfected her root beer recipe and we sampled it. Talk about flavor! This root beer was creamy with a little bit of kick, and super refreshing – Sody-licious Root Beer was born!

Williams is keeping her recipe close to the vest, but acknowledges that her root beer is brewed with organic barks, roots, berries, and flowers. Today, most of the root beers commercially produced use artificial flavors. The original ingredients are often hard to source, or are expensive.

William’s hand-crafted, small batch Sody-licious Root Beer will be available for purchase from her food truck at the Suncoast Credit Union SwantoberFest on Saturday, September 22, 2018. Admission to the event is free. In addition to her Root Beer, savory and sweet items will also be available for purchase. Visit Got Candy & More Food Truck between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the event.

This community-wide event in Munn Park is free to attend and feature a business expo as an opportunity for Chamber member-investors to engage directly with the community in a family-friendly setting. This event will include German-style competitions, German food & drink, an Autobahn, Kinder Platz (for the young at heart), a Family Cool Garten, and live music by The Europa Band.

The Lakeland Chamber is proud to announce Suncoast Credit Union as the title sponsor of Lakeland’s only Oktoberfest-themed celebration! Like a traditional Oktoberfest, our event will offer sights, sounds, and tastes that are Bavarian-inspired. Lakeland residents will have a chance to celebrate Octoberfest-style in Munn Park in downtown Lakeland on Saturday, September 22, 2018. The Suncoast Credit Union SwantoberFest is a time to unwind and make new friends, learn new customs and sing a few songs. Be there to help tap the inaugural keg at 5 PM on Saturday, September 22, as Lakeland’s Suncoast Credit Union SwantoberFest kicks off! This community-wide event in Munn Park will be free to attend and feature a business expo as an opportunity for Chamber member-investors to engage directly with the community in a family-friendly setting. Activities include German-style competitions, treasure hunt, and live music by The Europa Band. VIP passes will be available for an extra-special experience, including a Child’s VIP pass – think Root Beer Garden! To register as vendor-exhibitor at the event, please click here or at https://bit.ly/2JlSL0m. To learn more about the event, visit the website at SwantoberFest.com.

ABOUT SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION

Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the eighth largest in the United States based on membership, and the 12th largest in the United States based on its more than $9.2 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 65 full-service branches and serves more than 785,000 members in the following Florida counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Dixie, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $22 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit: suncoastcreditunion.com, Facebook.com/SuncoastCreditUnion or @SuncoastCU

ABOUT THE LAKELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce represents 1,400-member businesses in the Lakeland area and provides opportunities for networking, professional development and advocacy for companies of all sizes. Five-star accredited by the US Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber upholds the following vision and mission statements: Vision Statement – The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce will be the premier catalyst for the advancement of Lakeland’s economic growth and enhancement of quality of life– creating Florida’s community of choice. Mission Statement – The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is the leading organization dedicated to creating a climate where business can prosper.